Device for servicing an aircraft on the ground

ABSTRACT

A device for servicing an aircraft on the ground includes a rolling support and a cable or hose assembly having a first end for connection to a ground unit and an opposite second end for connection to the aircraft. A reel is rotatably mounted on the rolling support on which the cable or hose assembly is wound, and from which the cable or hose assembly can be unwound from the first end. A flight of stairs is also mounted on the rolling support.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for servicing anaircraft on the ground.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] When an aircraft is parked on the ground, the ground staff incharge of aircraft servicing has to carry out a number of duties such ase.g. supplying power to the aircraft, discharging waste water andfilling up water and compressed air.

[0003] Electrical power supply is generally achieved via an electricalcable assembly. A first end of the cable assembly is connected to aground power supply unit and the second end is plugged into a receptaclein the body of the airplane. The cable assembly is typically stored in astorage device, such as e.g. a reel, from which it can be unwound, whilethe first end of the cable assembly remains connected to the groundpower supply. Such a storage device, described e.g. in U.S. Pat. No.4,730,089, is generally located at or close to the passenger bridge andallows to keep the cable assembly off the ground and out of the way ofplanes or other vehicles until it is needed. It also allows the cableassembly to be supported as it is pulled out to a waiting aircraft. Whenthe cable assembly is needed to supply power to an aircraft, it ispulled from the storage device, across the apron and plugged into theaircraft by a ground technician. The latter then has to turn on a switcheither located about the plug or near the cable storage device to applya voltage to the cable assembly so that power is supplied to theaircraft. When the aircraft has been serviced, the technician turns offthe power, disconnects the cable from the aircraft, and operates a motorat the storage device to retract the cable assembly thereto.

[0004] Unfortunately, when the cable assembly is stored in the abovedescribed storage device, connection of an aircraft to the power supplyis often too time consuming. Indeed, when the cable assembly is pulledfrom the storage device, it frequently gets stuck in the storage device,e.g. due to twisting. The ground technician thus has to walk back to thestorage device to take care of the problem, before continuing with theconnection.

[0005] Moreover, depending on the type of aircraft, the technician mayhave difficulties in connecting the cable assembly to the aircraft,principally because the connection has to be done at a relatively highlevel above ground. This again results in a waste of time.

[0006] Furthermore, it is to be noted that storing the cable in such astorage device causes a rapid wear of the cable. Indeed, whether thecable is pulled from the storage device or retracted thereto, it isalways dragged on the ground. This causes extensive abrasion of thecable assembly, which thus needs to be replaced regularly for safetyreasons.

[0007] These problems of handling, storage, connection and wearencountered with electric cables are similar with the hoses used toconnect the aircraft to ground units such as water supply unit,compressed air unit and waste water collecting unit.

[0008] WO 99/36316 discloses an aircraft refueling cart, which includesa chassis with wheels and a refueling platform upon which an operatorcan stand. The platform is mounted to the chassis by a scissor-actionmechanism, so as to vary the height of the platform. The cart furtherincludes a short-length hydrant hose, which is removably supportedaround the periphery of the cart in its rest position. Fuel is suppliedto the cart via this hydrant hose and is further conveyed to theaircraft via a boom and fuel hose. On the cart, the fuel supplied by thehydrant hose flows through a surge suppressor, a filter and a fuelmeter, before entering the boom. The cart further includes a hose reelon which a hose is wound. This hose has a first end connected downstreamof the fuel meter and an opposite, free second end.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The technical problem underlying the present invention is toprovide a device for servicing an aircraft on the ground, whichfacilitates the work of the ground staff and which allows a more properhandling of the cable or hose assemblies used for servicing theaircraft. This problem is solved by a device for servicing an aircrafton the ground as claimed in claim 1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] According to the present invention, a device for servicing anaircraft on the ground comprises a rolling support on which a reel isrotatably mounted. In order to connect the aircraft to a ground unit, acable assembly or hose assembly is wound up on the reel, from which itcan be unwound when needed. This cable or hose assembly has a first endfor connection to the ground unit and a second end for connection to theaircraft. The cable or hose assembly is wound up on the reel in such away that it can be unwound from the first end. The device furthercomprises a flight of stairs mounted on the rolling support.

[0011] In case the device of the invention is intended to supply powerto an aircraft, a cable assembly is wound on the reel. Such a deviceproves advantageous for a ground technician in charge of the electricalconnection of an aircraft, as it is more handy to use than conventionalstorage devices. When the device is not in use, it can be parked nearbythe ground power supply unit, so that it may be permanently connectedthereto. The cable assembly is kept out of the way of planes or othervehicles. When the device is needed to supply power to an aircraft, aground technician moves the device towards the aircraft. As the deviceis moved away from the ground power supply unit, the cable is unwoundfrom the reel, since its first end is preferably permanently connectedto the ground power supply unit. During unwinding of the cable, thetechnician can keep an eye on the reel to avoid any twisting of thecable. Moreover, should the cable get stuck, the reel is directly withinreach for rapidly solving the problem. Besides, it is to be noted thatonce arrived at the aircraft, the flight of steps allows the technicianto climb up for easier connection of the cable assembly to the aircraft.As a result, electrical connection of the aircraft is faster and moreeasily achieved.

[0012] Another advantageous aspect of the device of the invention isthat when winding up or unwinding the cable from the reel, it is notdragged on the ground. Indeed, as the reel is supported on the rollingsupport, the cable is progressively laid on the ground as the device ismoved towards the aircraft.

[0013] If instead of a cable assembly, a flexible hose assembly is woundup on the reel, it is possible to connect the first end of the flexiblehose to a ground unit such as e.g. a fresh water supply unit, acompressed air supply unit, or a waste water collecting unit, so as tosupply water or compressed air to the aircraft, or discharge wastewater. As for electric cables, the present device equipped with a hoseproves extremely advantageous regarding the handling, storage andconnection of the hose.

[0014] It is clear that a cable assembly, respectively a hose assembly,may comprise one or more cables, respectively hoses.

[0015] Advantageously, the device includes a motor coupled to the reelfor rotating the latter so as to easily wind and/or unwind the cable orhose assembly.

[0016] The flight of stairs is preferably configured in such manner asto rise from a rear side of the rolling support to an elevated platformon a front side of the rolling support. This elevated platform providesan elevated working area, on which a ground technician can easilyproceed to the connection of the cable or hose assembly to the aircraft.

[0017] For security, the flight of stairs and the elevated platform areadvantageously bordered by a side rail.

[0018] In order to easily move the device, a pivotable draw-bar may beconnected to the rolling support.

[0019] Preferably, the device further comprises a guide element arrangedat the periphery of the rolling support. This guide element is arrangedin the rolling support in such a way as to avoid twisting of the cableor hose assembly as it is wound up or unwound.

[0020] It is clear that the first end of the cable or hose assemblyshall advantageously comprise connection means for the ground unit andits second end shall comprise a plug. It is to be noted that, as thecable assembly is not dragged on the floor, there is no risk of damagingthe plug.

[0021] Depending on the type of aircraft, it may happen that the powersupply has to be carried out via e.g. two cable assemblies because theaircraft has two sockets, generally about the same location. In such acase, the present device should be provided with one other cableassembly having a first end for connection to a ground unit and anopposite second end for connection to the aircraft, which is also woundon the first reel or wound on a second reel. This allows a groundtechnician to easily bring two cable assemblies simultaneously to anaircraft requiring two separate connections. When the device is equippedwith a motor for winding up or unwinding the first reel, the second reelmay be of course also be coupled to the motor.

[0022] It is clear that it is possible to equip the present device withmore than two cable assemblies, either wound on the same reel or ondifferent reels. The present device can also be equipped with aplurality of hose assemblies, in order to achieve multiple connectionsfor supplying or discharging a variety of fluids. Furthermore, it wouldbe possible to equip the present device with a combination of cable andhose assemblies, wound on one or more reels. However, in practice, it isdesirable to have one device for each task, i.e. one device forsupplying power to the aircraft, one device for supplying fresh water,etc. . . .

[0023] When the present device is equipped with a plurality of cable orhose assemblies, a conventional slip ring unit or hydraulic swivel jointis preferably mounted in the device. Indeed, a slip ring unit permits totransmit electric current from a cable wound on the rotatable reel to animmobile part, from which a connection cable extends, so that power canbe applied to the connection cable, which does however not rotate withthe reel. For a fluid, the same object is achieved by means of ahydraulic swivel joint. Hence, the second end of each cable or hoseassembly is connected to the slip ring unit or the hydraulic swiveljoint, and the latter advantageously comprise, for each cable or hoseassembly, one connection cable or hose ending with a plug to beconnected to the aircraft.

[0024] It will be understood that, although the ground units aregenerally located about the passenger bridge, they could be located atany place on the apron. Moreover, in case an aircraft to be serviced isparked far away from the ground unit to which the device has to beconnected, the first end of the cable or hose may be connected to theground unit via an extension cable or an extension hose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present invention will now be described, by way of example,with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0026]FIG. 1: is a three-dimensional view of a preferred embodiment of adevice for supplying power to an aircraft on the ground in accordancewith the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027]FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a device 10 for servicingan aircraft in accordance with the invention, which is embodied as adevice for supplying power to an aircraft on the ground. This devicecomprises a rolling support 12 on which two reels 14 and 14′ arerotatably mounted. On each reel 14 and 14′ is stored a cable assembly,indicated 16 and 16′ respectively, each cable assembly 16, resp. 16′,having a first end (not shown) for connection to a ground power supply(not shown) and a second end 18 (only the second end 18 of the cableassembly 16 is shown in the figure) advantageously equipped with a plug19 for connection to the aircraft. Generally, the cable assembly 16, 16′is wound up on the reel 14, 14′ when the device 10 is not needed, andcan be unwound therefrom when needed.

[0028] The device 10 further comprises a flight of stairs 20, whichrises from a rear side 22 of the rolling support 12 to an elevatedplatform 24 on a front side 26 of the rolling support 12. For securityreasons, a side rail 28 preferably borders the flight of stairs 20 andthe elevated platform 24. It will be noted that in order to have acompact device 10, the reels 14 and 14′ are advantageously arrangedbelow the elevated platform 24 and the flight of stairs 20.

[0029] The present device 10 is particularly suited for supplying powerto an aircraft requiring two separate connections, since it is providedwith two cable assemblies. However, it is clear that the present device10 can also be used to connect an aircraft requiring a singleconnection.

[0030] When the device 10 is not in use, it can be parked nearby theground power supply, so that the first end of each cable assembly 16 and16′ may permanently be connected to the ground power supply, while eachcable assembly 16, resp. 16′, is wound up on its respective reel 14,14′. The cable assemblies 16 and 16′ are then kept of the way of planesor other vehicles.

[0031] When the device 10 is needed to supply power to an aircraft, aground technician moves it towards the aircraft by means of e.g. apivotable draw-bar 30 connected to the rolling support 12. As the device10 is moved away from the ground power supply, the cable assemblies 16and 16′ are unwound from their reels 14 and 14′ since their first endsare connected to the ground power supply. As can be seen on FIG. 1, thecable assemblies 16 and 16′ are advantageously arranged on the reels 14and 14′ in such a way that most of their length can be wound on theouter cylindrical surface of the reel 14, so as to be unwound when thedevice is moved. Moreover, the cable assembly 16 is arranged in such away that a certain portion of the cable, ending with the plug 19, isrolled up on the inner side of the reel 14. This portion of the cableassembly 16 thus remains in the reel 14 while the device is moved.Although not shown, the cable assembly 16′ is also arranged in this wayin reel 14′.

[0032] It is to be noted that with the present device 10, the cableassemblies 16 and 16′ are progressively laid on the ground as the device10 is moved towards the aircraft. They are not anymore dragged on theground, which means that they are not subjected to abrasion due torubbing on the ground. Moreover, having the plug 19 in the reel 14 whenthe device 10 is moved, permits to avoid severe damage to the plug 19due to dragging on the ground. Also, as the plug 19 is not draggedthrough e.g. puddles, it is safer from an electrical point of view.

[0033] Reference numbers 32 and 32′ indicate a set of cable guideelements facing the outer cylindrical surfaces of reels 14 and 14′.These cable guide elements 32 and 32′ ensure a proper alignment of thecable assemblies 16 and 16′, whether the latter are being wind up ontheir respective reel 14, resp. 14′, or unwound therefrom. As can beseen, the cable guide elements 32 and 32′ are arranged at the rear side22 of the rolling support 12, under the lowest step 34 of the flight ofstairs 20. This avoids any entanglement between the two cable assemblies16 and 16′.

[0034] Once arrived at the aircraft, the ground technician connects thesecond end 18 of the cable assembly 16, 16′ into a socket (not shown) inthe aircraft. It will be appreciated that the elevated platform 24provides an elevated working area from which the ground technician caneasily proceed to the connection of the cable assembly 16, 16′ to theaircraft when the connection has to be done at a relatively high levelabove ground.

[0035] The ground technician then generally turns on a switch eitherlocated e.g. on the plug 19 or near the ground power supply to apply avoltage to the cable assembly 16, resp. 16′, so that power is suppliedto the aircraft.

[0036] When the aircraft has been serviced, the ground technician turnsoff the power, disconnects the cable assemblies 16 and 16′ from theaircraft and moves the device 10 back to the ground power supply whilethe cable assemblies 16 and 16′ are wound up on their respective reels14 and 14′.

[0037] It will be noted that in order to easily wind and/or unwind thecable assemblies 16 and 16′, the device 10 may be advantageouslyprovided with a motor. In the device 10, this motor is arranged underthe platform 24 and coupled to the reels 14 and 14′ by means of adriving belt 36.

[0038] The motor may e.g. be supplied with power from the ground powerunit. In such a case it is preferable to turn off the power—beforedisconnecting the plug 19—by means of a switch at the plug 19, ratherthan to turn off the power at the ground unit, which would also suppressthe power in the cable assembly. When a slip ring unit is mounted in thedevice, power can easily be supplied to the motor by connecting it tothe slip ring unit.

[0039] It is clear that instead of cable assemblies, hose assembliescould be wound on the reels in order to supply the aircraft with afluid, such as e.g. fresh water or compressed air, or to remove a fluidtherefrom.

1-11 (canceled).
 12. A device for servicing an aircraft on the groundcomprising: a rolling support; a cable or hose assembly having a firstend for connection to a ground unit and an opposite second end forconnection to said aircraft; a reel rotatably mounted on said rollingsupport, on which said cable or hose assembly is wound and from whichsaid cable or hose assembly can be unwound from its first end; and aflight of stairs mounted on said rolling support.
 13. The deviceaccording to claim 12, further comprising a motor coupled to said reelfor rotating said reel.
 14. The device according to claim 12, whereinsaid rolling support has a front side and an opposite rear side and saiddevice comprises an elevated platform, said flight of stairs rising fromsaid rear side of said rolling support to said elevated platform on saidfront side.
 15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said flightof stairs and said elevated platform are bordered by a side rail. 16.The device according to claim 12, further comprising a pivotabledraw-bar connected to said rolling support.
 17. The device according toclaim 12, further comprising a cable or hose assembly guide elementarranged at the periphery of said rolling support.
 18. The deviceaccording to claim 12, wherein said first end of said cable or hoseassembly comprises connection means for said ground power unit and saidsecond end comprises a plug.
 19. The device as claimed in claim 12,wherein said ground unit is one of a ground power supply unit, a freshwater supply unit, a compressed air supply unit, and a waste watercollecting unit.
 20. The device according to claim 12, comprising atleast one other cable or hose assembly having a first end for connectionto a ground unit and an opposite second end for connection to saidaircraft, which is wound on the first reel or on another reel.
 21. Thedevice according to claim 20, wherein said first reel is coupled to amotor for its rotation and said other reel is coupled to said motor. 22.The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said second end of each cableor hose assembly is connected to said aircraft via a slip ring unit or ahydraulic swivel joint.